invoke

Described by one pretty important radio guy as “not classical…but not not classical”, bowed and fretted string quartet invoke continues to successfully dodge even the most valiant attempts at genre classification. The multi-instrumental band’s other not-nots encompass traditions from across America, including bluegrass, Appalachian fiddle tunes, jazz, and minimalism. invoke weaves all of these traditions together to create truly unique contemporary string quartet repertoire, written by and for the group.

Since its inception in 2013, invoke has been selected as Artists in Residence at Strathmore, the Young Professional String Quartet in Residence at the University of Texas at Austin, the Emerging Young Artist Quartet at Interlochen, and the Fellowship String Quartet at Wintergreen Performing Arts. In 2016, the band received First Prize in the Savvy Musician in ACTION Chamber Competition.

invoke has shared the stage with some of the most acclaimed chamber groups in the country, including the Enso Quartet and the U.S. Army Field Band. Other highlights include a weeklong residency at the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Institutes, and appearances as part of the South Florida Symphony’s Summer Chamber series and the NextNOW Festival at University of Maryland.

invoke’s 2015 debut release “Souls in the Mud” begins with original works that conjure images of America, including the fast-paced opening track Travesty and The Trace (inspired by bourbon whiskey). The third and title track, Souls in the Mud, is an American transformation of a 16th century motet featuring banjo, mandolin and a bluegrass-influenced boot-stompin’ finale. The EP is rounded out by invoke accompanying a historic recording of a haunting traditional English ballad and two compositions by prolific American composer Danny Clay.

In addition to “Souls in the Mud”, invoke has performed and recorded numerous world premieres, including works by Joseph C. Phillips Jr., Armando Bayolo, and Geoff Sheil. The quartet’s recording credits appear on bassist/composer Ethan Foote’s solo album “Fields Burning”, singer/songwriter Marian McLaughlin’s “Spirit House”, and jazz/soul singer Rochelle Rice’s EP “Wonder.”

Equally at home in a collaborative setting, invoke has appeared with musicians from genres at complete opposite ends of the spectrum – from chamber rock powerhouse San Fermin, to indie sensation Never Shout Never, to DC beatboxer/rapper/spoons virtuoso Christylez Bacon.

The Austin Chamber Music Center is funded in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts. ACMC is also funded in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.